MUS2054 : Music and Cultural Theory (Inactive)
MUS2054 : Music and Cultural Theory (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Paul Attinello
- Lecturer: Professor Ian Biddle
- Owning School: Arts & Cultures
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
- To provide an introduction to basic concepts and approaches, and important debates in the cultural theory of music.
- To provide a solid foundation in the cultural theory of music for students intending to go on to (or already engaged in ) Masters-level courses which rely upon such knowledge.
- To investigate systematically a range of hermeneutic, text critical and theoretical approaches to music from recent music scholarship.
This module is intended to help you gain knowledge of a range of cultural-theoretical paradigms. These may vary from year to year, but would typically include: structuralist and poststructuralist theories, theories of authorship, other approaches to theorising identity, presence and subjectivity, theories of musical autonomy, modernism, mass and popular culture and their inter-relationships, Marxist theories of culture, ideology and hegemony, theories of power theories of cultural materialism and social semiotics.
Outline Of Syllabus
A series of lectures and seminars will cover a variety of topics, including: structuralist and poststructuralist theories, theories of authorship; other approaches to theorising; identity, presence and subjectivity; theories of musical autonomy; modernism; mass and popular culture and their inter-relationships; Marxist theories of culture, ideology and hegemony; theories of power; theories of cultural materialism and social semiotics.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
These include an awareness and understanding of: structuralist and poststructuralist theories; theories of authorship; other approaches to theorising identity; presence and subjectivity theories of musical autonomy; modernism; mass and popular culture and their inter-relationships; Marxist theories of culture; ideology and hegemony; theories of power; theories of cultural materialism and social semiotics
.
Intended Skill Outcomes
• the ability to think critically and to apply that thinking to a number of different musical contexts
• the ability to engage with challenging texts about music
• the ability to formulate an argument and communicate your views and to contextualise those views in the broader intellectual history of the subject
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 16 | 2:00 | 32:00 | PIP or converted online if need be |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Tutorial (PiP or converted to online if need be) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 167:00 | 167:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures and discussions act as a forum in which key concepts are introduced, explained and discussed. Sessions will often be based on texts which are set for close reading during your private study time. By this point in your programme it is assumed that you will have developed sufficient independent learning abilities to be able to use your study of these texts and their musical applications as the core of your learning for this module.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 2 | A | 20 | written assignments |
| Essay | 2 | A | 80 | 3,500 words |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The portfolio and essay assess how well you have assimilated aspects of the course material, (ii) your ability to formulate a critical position on the material, and (iii) your ability to communicate this concisely.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MUS2054's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- MUS2054's past Exam Papers
General Notes
n/a
Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.